A JOHNSTONE woman who almost lost her mum last year is set to repay medical staff who saved her life.

Colleen-Breagha McCrystal, 19, faced the terrifying prospect of losing her ‘best friend’ when mum Bernadette suffered a sudden bleed on the brain during an exercise class.

The 46-year-old was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, where it was discovered she had a ruptured brain aneurysm, before being transferred to the neurology department at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.

There, doctors were able to operate quickly and save her life.

Colleen, who lives in Spateston with her mum and dad Robert, now wants to give something back to the department which helped Bernadette by raising money for this vital work through a charity night in Johnstone.

“My mum was in danger of losing her life,” said Colleen. “If doctors hadn’t operated on her within 12 hours, she would have died.

“She was just in an exercise class and got a really pounding headache. She thought it might have been a migraine as she’d never experienced one before.

“It was lucky there was someone in the class who recognised something was really wrong because she couldn’t lift her head or stand up.

“I am so grateful to the neurology department for what they did.

“I am extremely close to my mum and it was just heartbreaking going through it all. She is my best friend.”

Colleen, who also has an older brother, has planned a fundraising evening with a raffle, auction and DJ at the Lilybank Sports and Social Club, in Johnstone, in the hope of coining in as much money as possible for the team at the QEUH.

She added: “This event is to thank the people who helped my family through this and to raise awareness and help others look out for the signs we missed.”

The event will take place on Friday, July 6, from 7pm until midnight. Tickets are £5 and can be bought by calling Colleen on 0794 476 9483.